4 Hiring Tricks In Hospitality

You spent hours creating an attractive, succinct and typo free resume. You even crafted a customized cover letter describing your passion for hospitality to pique the hiring manager’s interest. You’ve done everything right—so far—and now that he or she has contacted you to schedule a job interview, you may think there’s nothing but smooth sailing ahead. Unfortunately, you’re wrong. Unless you’re aware of these somewhat controversial hiring tricks frequently employed by managers, you could be jeopardizing your chances of landing the job or securing the best salary.

1. Some managers put pictures of kids on their desk to encourage a talk about family.

Hiring managers who ask if you have children are technically breaking the law. However, you can bet that is information any hospitality employer will want to have—for parents sometimes need to miss work to care for sick kids, or request time off for their offspring’s games and performances. If you notice family photos on your interviewer’s desk, don’t talk about your own situation. He or she may use anything you volunteer against you.

2. Some managers consider a wedding band a sign that you may be planning to start a family.

Entry-level positions popular with college students and recent graduates are common in the hospitality industry. Because they’re already dealing with high employee turnover, some restaurant and hotel employers prefer to hire single workers, assuming they’ll stick around longer and won’t require maternity leave. Because they cannot legally inquire about your marital or relationship status, leaving your wedding ring at home is the best way to avoid this trick.
3. Some managers hire women so they can pay them less.

According the the White House, full-time women workers’ earnings are only about 77 percent of their male counterparts’ earnings. Experts estimate a portion of this discrepancy is due to a commonly female reluctance to negotiation pay—something hospitality managers may count on. Whatever salary the manager offers you—whether you’re applying for a dishwashing job or an executive position—diplomatically ask for more.

4. Most managers are looking for a reason not to hire you.

Every hospitality job posting generates dozens of resumes. When many applicants have similar backgrounds and qualifications, it’s easier for hiring managers to focus on their flaws. For this reason, a single typo or even a low high school GPA can land you in the discard pile. The solution: proofread your application, resume, and cover letter carefully, and avoid including nonessential information a hospitality hiring manager may construe negatively.

The interview process can be stressful, but being aware of these common hiring tricks will ensure you maximize your chances of securing that next hospitality job.